What did al-Nawawi say about good character?

"without detailing specific cures, as these will appear in other books. Our purpose now is a comprehensive consideration of refining character and establishing its methodology. We will use the treatment of the body as an example to facilitate understanding. This will become clear through: explaining the virtue of good character, understanding the reality of good character, the possibility of changing character through discipline, the means to attain good character, methods to refine character and discipline the soul, recognizing signs of heart disease, ways to recognize one's faults, evidences from revelation on treating hearts through abandoning desires,"

"patience, humility, generosity, and good character, which is the perfection of faith. Al-Kinani observed, "Sufism is character, so whoever surpasses you in character surpasses you in Sufism. Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, advised, "Mingle with people through good character but separate yourselves by deeds. Yahya ibn Mu'adh added, "Bad character is a sin that cannot be offset by many good deeds, and good character is a virtue that is not affected by many sins.""

"He also advised Abu Dhar, "There is no intellect like planning, and no nobility like good character." Anas reported that Umm Habiba asked the Messenger of Allah about a woman with two husbands in this world. He said, "For the one who had the best character towards her in this world. O Umm Habiba, good character takes the good of this world and the Hereafter." The Messenger of Allah said, "Indeed, the devout Muslim attains the rank of one who fasts and stands in prayer due to his good character and noble rank.""

"'The most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. As for nobility of descent, it is your best character. He further explained, "Every building has a foundation, and the foundation of Islam is good character. Ata said, "None ascends except through good character, and no one achieved it perfectly except the chosen one, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, for the closest people to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, are those who follow his path through good character.""

"religion, whether true or false. Religion consists of both internal and external works, with love and will being their origin. Religion encompasses obedience, custom, and character. It is the persistent obedience that becomes a part of one's character and custom. This is why character is interpreted as religion in the saying of the Most High, and indeed, you are of a great moral character. Imam Ahmad mentioned that Ibn Abbas explained this as upon a great religion. When Aisha was asked about the character of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, she replied, his character was the Quran. Religion also"

"and they were patient for اللّٰه with the etiquettes of اللّٰه." اِبْن المُبَارَك mentioned: "We sought good manners when the educators were no longer available to us." He also said: "Good manners for the knowledgeable are like repentance for the beginner." أَبُو حَفْص, when الجُنَيْد said to him, "You have taught your companions the manners of kings," replied: "Good manners outwardly are a sign of good manners inwardly."

"and upheld the righteous morals that rectify a person's affairs." The fiftieth point: Contentment opens the door to good character with اللّٰه and with people. Good character stems from contentment, while bad character arises from displeasure. Good character elevates its possessor to the rank of one who fasts and prays, whereas bad character consumes good deeds as fire consumes wood."

"explaining that righteousness is characterized by good character, while sin is what troubles the heart. This indicates that good character encompasses the entirety of religion and the truths of faith and the laws of الإِسْلَام. This is why it is contrasted with sin. In another حَدِيث, it is stated, "Righteousness is what the soul finds peace in, and sin is what causes unease in the heart." Good character is thus interpreted as righteousness, suggesting that good character brings peace to the soul and heart, while sin causes inner turmoil and doubt."

"Whoever surpasses you in character has surpassed you in religion. This is also true for Sufism. الكِنَانِيّ said: Sufism is character, so whoever surpasses you in character has surpassed you in Sufism. Good character is described as offering kindness, refraining from harm, and enduring harm. It involves offering beauty and refraining from ugliness, freeing oneself from vices, and adorning oneself with virtues."

"Furthermore, he said, "The heaviest thing to be placed in the scale on the Day of Judgment is good character. The Prophet advised, "Allah has not beautified a person's character and form to feed them to the Fire. He also counseled Abu Huraira, "Adhere to good character." The first to enter Paradise are those who are God-fearing and possess good character, as narrated by al-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim from Abu Huraira."